Tehran [Iran], July 30 (ANI): Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said two oil tankers attempting to leave what it described as an “unsafe route” south of the Strait of Hormuz turned back after a fire broke out on one of the vessels, according to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB.
In a statement, the IRGC said, “Last night, two oil tankers, provoked by American birds, attempted to leave the unsafe route south of the Strait of Hormuz. After a severe fire broke out in one of them, both vessels quickly turned back.”
The IRGC asserted control over the strategic waterway, stating, “The Strait of Hormuz is our land, and the IRGC’s navy sailors have full control over it, and a stranger who has come from thousands of kilometres away will not be allowed to interfere.”
“With the help of God Almighty, the aggressor will be punished today,” it added.
The IRGC also warned countries supporting what it described as the aggressor, referring to the United States.
“Countries involved in aiding the aggressor will receive a harsh response if they do not correct their behaviour,” the statement said.
On the continued status of the Strait of Hormuz, the IRGC said it could not be reopened while U.S. authorities continued what it described as “exaggerations and threats” and interference in maritime movements in the region.
“The Strait of Hormuz cannot be reopened as long as the American authorities’ exaggerations and threats and their interference in maritime movements in the region continue, and threats and interference will only make the situation more difficult and complicated,” the statement said.
Addressing the Iranian public, the IRGC said their “determination, will, and steadfastness on the battlefield have shattered the enemy, strengthened the ranks of the warriors of Islam, and given them new spirit and life.”
Earlier, amid heightened tensions with Tehran and growing concerns over maritime security in the Gulf, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) accused the IRGC of attempting to intimidate merchant vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining that the strategic waterway remains open to international shipping despite Iran’s claims.
In an official statement released Wednesday (local time), CENTCOM said the IRGC had recently threatened and attempted attacks against commercial vessels and civilian mariners navigating the strategic passage.
The U.S. military also accused the IRGC of attempting to impose its preferred navigation routes on international commercial shipping passing through one of the world’s most critical energy transit corridors.
“After recently threatening and attempting to attack commercial vessels and innocent mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) continues to claim that international mariners should only use routes the IRGC prefers,” the U.S. military said in its statement.
Rejecting Tehran’s position, the U.S. military emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway governed by international maritime law and is not under the authority of the IRGC.
“The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway. The IRGC has no authority to dictate routes for free and open traffic flow,” CENTCOM said, adding that merchant shipping continues to transit the waterway under the protection of U.S. forces deployed across the region. (ANI)
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